New Year, New You

By Sandra Eagle

As we all start off on a brand-new year, we’re reminded of the promise of new beginnings and resolve to try new goals, aspirations and life-affirming habits. We’ve gathered a few tidbits of information that may lead you on a path of wellness, for yourself, or even your event.

Bill Howatt, in a recent Globe and Mail article, says it’s important to carve out a few minutes each day to do something just for yourself. Howatt is the chief of research for work force productivity at the Conference Board of Canada. He encourages the idea of “taking 10” to engage in a positive mindful activity that is good for your soul. For some it might be playing music, reading a book or taking a walk. Howatt says that the concept of taking just 10 minutes at different times during the day is to create space to make mindful choices that can have a positive impact on your outlook. He suggests you take three to five breaks throughout the entire day.

Another way to rest your mind and enable better concentration is to listen to natural sounds, such as waves crashing on a beach, forest sounds or streams of running water. A study published in Scientific Reports says natural sounds help our minds to return to a rest and digest state, and our bodies have evolved to relate to these sounds. There are numerous YouTube videos that have hours of meditative ocean waves, jungle and forest soundtracks to try.

In addition to creating your own well-being rituals, a two-day event presented by MeetingHealthy in Chicago this coming February will teach event planners how to incorporate wellness into events. The MeetHealthy Forum showcases tips on how to create events to leave delegates motivated, energized and inspired.

Kristina Tarantino, CMP, AFAA, is the founder of MeetingHealthy and is passionate about how event planners can incorporate wellness, healthy living and life balance into the meeting setting. The MeetingHealthy network is a vetted collection of suppliers—from hoteliers to DMCs and venues that can accommodate wellness requests. Check out the website for healthy meeting tips, a Meet Healthy checklist as well as suggestions for great gifts.